Research from Nottingham Trent University indicates that scattering black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in pens can enhance the activity and natural behaviours of fast-growing broiler chickens, potentially improving poultry health and welfare.
Modern broiler chickens have been selectively bred for rapid growth and increased meat yield. However, this has resulted in a decrease in natural behaviours like foraging and increased susceptibility to health issues related to inactivity, such as leg problems and skin lesions. These welfare challenges can lead to considerable economic losses within the broiler industry.
The recent study, developed in collaboration with agri-tech company Flybox, was aimed at determining whether activity and behaviour could be stimulated in broilers without compromising growth performance or gut development, both crucial for their health.
Enhanced Activity and Foraging
The study revealed several key findings:
- Scattering BSFL led to a significant increase in overall active behaviours among fast-growing broilers by over 11%, including running, walking, preening, and dustbathing.
- Foraging behaviour increased by nearly 32% compared to the standard feeding method with BSFL offered in troughs.
- Increased activity did not adversely affect growth performance or gut development, indicating that such enrichment practices can be implemented without sacrificing production efficiency.
- In contrast, slower-growing broilers showed no significant change in activity or foraging behaviour regardless of how BSFL was presented.
Producers are increasingly pushed by regulators, retailers, and consumers to enhance welfare standards and encourage natural behaviours. While studies have shown that a stimulating environment can improve broiler activity, most approaches have failed to integrate nutrition, thereby missing dietary benefits for the birds.
A Shift Towards Circular Agriculture
The poultry industry has been exploring sustainable protein sources, like insect-derived ingredients, to facilitate a shift towards circular agriculture.
BSFL are a rich source of high-quality protein and lipids, making them an advisable feed ingredient. They are not only palatable and engaging for poultry but also serve as a sustainable food source. Nottingham Trent University’s collaboration with Flybox has been essential for researching BSFL’s contributions to sustainable poultry production, utilizing on-campus facilities for larval rearing.
“Scattering larvae on litter encourages birds to forage actively, promoting natural ground-pecking behaviour and increased activity,” explained Chris Onuoha, a doctoral researcher in sustainable poultry production at Nottingham Trent University.
“The results show that even birds bred for rapid growth can be behaviourally stimulated without negative physiological impacts. This active behaviour could enhance health and welfare outcomes in fast-growing breeds,” he added, noting the necessity for further research to substantiatively gauge long-term health benefits.
Emily Burton, a professor of Sustainable Food Production at Nottingham Trent University, emphasized, “This research merges welfare science, animal nutrition, sustainability, and commercial viability. By stimulating natural foraging behaviour without compromising growth or development, this method offers a practical on-farm solution to alleviate some welfare issues linked to inactivity in intensive production systems.”
Flybox CFO Thomas Stringer noted, “Chickens are inherent foragers. By providing a scalable and biosecure delivery of insects, we help producers improve welfare with minimal disruption.”
